The “Duke of Richmond”

On October 20, 1852, the barque “Duke of Richmond” sailed from Birkenhead, England bound for Portland Bay, Victoria, Australia. Among the 236 passengers on board were two couples, each from different parts of England and one with small children. They were my great, great, great grandparents James and Susan Harman and William and Margaret Diwell. William and Margaret, from Kent had two daughters under five. Another daughter had passed away before the journey. James and Susan were from Cambridgeshire and been married only two months.

After around 140 days, Captain Thomas Barclay sailed the “Duke of Richmond” into Portland Bay on March 4, 1853. The Portland Herald reported on March 11, 1853, that Captain Barclay and Dr Webbers, the Surgeon Superintendent, had attempted to make sure all immigrants were comfortable and happy in an almost competitive way. However the voyage was also reported as arduous with much illness and over 20 deaths. Measles claimed many of those that died.

The Diwell family disembarked and stayed in Portland for another five years before moving to the Casterton area. William was a bricklayer and left the ship on his own account. James Harman was to be engaged by a Mr Robertson of Port Fairy for six months with wages of £50.

It is doubtful the two families came together again until 1945 when my grandparents, William Gamble and Linda Hadden were married in Hamilton.

I have done some extra research on the other passengers aboard the “Duke of Richmond“. A number moved to the Byaduk area. Some of the family names include Clarke, Everett, Gibbons, Looker, McIntyre, Merry, Patman and Spong. There were several families from Cambridgeshire. If anyone had family on the “Duke of Richmond“, it would be great to hear from you.

Hi Marilyn, thank you for your comment.
I like the Coulson family. If you have read my post I wish I were related to Christopher Coulson you will realise that. We are definitely related as Harriet is my ggg aunt. It is also good to find another descendant of “Duke of Richmond” passengers.
Merron

Hi Merron, I am a descendant from John Dodkin Everett and his wife Sarah (who unfortunately died on the voyage…I believe it was childbirth). They had children John, Mary, William, James, Susan, Isaac, Alfred and Arthur. The youngest two died (Alfred and Arthur) after they had docked and the family travelled by foot looking for work. Both were buried by the roadside!!
Jenney

Hi Merron Found your blog while “Googling” the Duke of Richmond. I am also descended from passengers who arrived in Portland in 1853 on this vessel. Alexander & Cecilia Miller were my Great Great Grandparents. After labouring for several years on a farm near Portland, Alexander and his family eventually settled on their own land at Burnt Creek near Horsham. Cheers David Miller